Window structure



April 29, 1941. w. c. SCHERER WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed April 21, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 v INVENTOR. /1 ////'0m C. Jcerer ATTORNEY.

I April 29, 1941. w C SCHERER 2,239,758

WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed April 21, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 H L 74 4a -"iE" m INVENTOR. M/fi'am G Jc erer ATTORNEY.

April 29, 1941. w. c. SCHERER 2,239,753

WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed April 21, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 LEE- 1 INVENTOR.

VV/fl/am CJcerer FMLYW ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 29, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WINDOW STRUCTURE.

William O. Scherer, Detroit, Mich.

Application April 21, 1937, Serial No. 138,223

Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in window structures and more particularly to new and improved means of hanging and operating the sashes in those types of window structures having a pair of sashes hinged together along adjacent sides and arranged to counterbalance each other in any open position.

An important object of this invention is to provide a counter-balanced window structure particularly adapted for use in buildings or other structures which it is desired to insulate from outside conditions. Various features of this invention cooperate to produce an insulated window structure which, when the sashes are moved to closed position, practically prevents the transmission of temperature, sound, and pressure conditions through both the window frame and the sashes supported therein.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a window structure having resilient sealing material or weather stripping arranged to engage the sashes when the latter are moved to a closed position and to seal the opening between the sashes and the frame. A feature of importance is the provision of sash guiding means in the frame which bears a novel relationship to the resilient Sealing material and acts to guide the sashes so that they do notv contact the sealing material except in closed position at which time they compress this material with a direct pressure perpendicular thereto. Thus the sealing material is preserved from wear or abrasion and as a result it may be mounted in projected condition so that it is compressed or deformed by the action of the sashes in their final movements toward completely closed position. This allows the use of deformable material for sealing purposes which has the additional advantage of cushioning the sashes in closed position against rattling movement and of dampening the passage of sound and pressure from the outside.

More particularly, the sash guiding means consists of a set of tracks for each sash formed in opposite sides of the window frame. The corners of each sash opposite to the hinged side are slidably and pivotally 'ngag'ed with these tracks. To avoid wear of the sealing weather stripping ma terial and thus permit it to project into yieldable engagement with the sashes when the latter are moved to closed position, each set of tracks is inclined or curved relative to the projected sealing surface of the material to such an extent that except in closed position the corners of the sashes are guided past the sealing material in spaced relati nshi thereto. The ends of the tracks are turned inwardly toward the sealing material and may in certain instances terminate beyond the plane of the sealing surf-ace of the weather stripping material. This inwardly turned portion of each set of tracks is so formed that as the sashes are guided to their final closed position they uniformly bear against the sealing surface of the weather stripping material in a perpendicular manner and compress or deform the material throughout its length to provide a tight seal around the window opening;

It is another object of this invention to provide a window construction in which the frame and sashes are preferably composed of metal. The metal frame is preferably constructed of two rectangular metal frame section's insulatively joined together to form the complete frame. The metal sashes are each constructed in a novel way for supporting a pair of glass panes in spaced parallel relationship and for ease in removing and replacing the panes in case of breakage. When the sashes are moved to closed position in the frame, the double pane construction of each sash, the two-part insulated construction of the frame, and the compressed engagement of the sealing material with the sashes all contribute to effectively prevent the transmission of practically all outside temperature, sound and pressure conditionsthrough the closed window.

Various other objects, advantages and meritorious features of the invention appear more fully in the following specification, appended claims and accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is an inside plane-view of the window frame showing the sashes in closed position,

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional View along line 2-'-2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line 33 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a detail cross-sectional view along line 4-4 ofFig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a detail cross-sectional view along line 55 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 6 is a view illustrating the construction of the hinge pin and the latching mechanism,

Fig. 7 is a detail view of a modification showing a. mechanical operator for opening and closing the sashes,

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view along line 8-8 of Fig. 7,

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a part of a sash frame, partly broken away for clarity, showing the manner of constructing same,

Fig. 10 is a view of a modification showing another form of mechanical operator for opening and closing the sashes,

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view along line H-H of Fig. 10, and

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view of a modification of the invention showing one side of a window frame and a side elevation of a pair of sashes.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the frame in which the movable parts of the window are carried is generally indicated at It. In the preferred construction the frame is composed of two rectangular metal frame sections [2 and I4 arranged side by side. The section [2 is referred to as the outer frame section whereas section M is referred to as the inner frame section. -As shown in Fig. 2 these frame sections are each provided with outer flanges l6 and I3 respectively which are adapted to interlock with portions of the building wall to hold the frame in place.

The adjacent edge-s of each of the frame sections l2- and M are turned inwardly at and 22 respectively and form a flange which extends around the window opening at least'on three sides thereof. Insulation 26 separates these flanges and bolts at spaced intervals pass through the flanges and insulation and join the frame sections together into a unitary metal Window frame structure. edge of flange 22 is turned outwardly as at 23 and overlaps the edge of the outer flange 28. It forms a recess in which the insulation 24 is supported and a groove on the outer face of the flange 28 in which sealing material or weather stripping is carried. This weather stripping extends around the window opening in one plane on at least three sides thereof and is arranged to project into the area occupied by the sashes when moved to closed position. As shown in the drawings, the insulation material 24 is provided with a part or lip 30 extending at right angles thereto and projecting outwardly beyond the marginal edge 28 of the flange 22. A second strip of sealing material 32 may be positioned along- 7 side of the projecting lip 39 and over the nuts which are secured to the bolts 25. The outer edge of the part 39 projects into the plane or area which the sashes occupy in closed position and forms a sealing surface upon which the inner surfaces of the sashes bear in closed position. The parts 24 and 32 may be separate pieces of resilient material if desired. The essential feature of the use of the sealing material is its projection into the space occupied by the sashes so that it will be compressed or deformed when the latter are moved to closed position.

The sashes which are arranged to counterbalance one another form the means for closing the Window opening. These sashes are hinged about their adjacent ends which are free of the frame for swinging movement outwardly of the frame. The upper and lower ends of the sashes are slidably and pivotally connected to the inner surfaces of the outer frame section I 2. The sashes in closed position extend in the same plane flat against the exposed sealing surface of the weather stripping 38.

To open the sashes, the hinged ends thereof are forced outwardly from the fram and the opposite ends of the sashes slide toward one another and pivot to accommodate for this movement. The sashes are preferably arranged in superimposed relationship within the window opening of the frame. 'In this assembly the sash- The inner marginal es are hinged about an axis which extends horizontally of the sashes. The sashes however may be arranged within a window opening side by side and hinged together about a vertical axis. It is understood that this modification falls within the scope of the invention. When two or more hinged pairs of sashes are used in the same window frame the frame may be constructed so that the adjacent sashes meet or abut one another in closed position.

In the drawings, the upper sash is indicated at 34 and the lower sash at 36. The adjacent sides of the sashes are provided with offset overlapping ears or lugs 38 and a hinge pin 40 excorners with elements which slidably and pivotally engage with the inner side surfaces of the outer frame section [2. As shown in Fig. 9 these elements each comprise a bracket 42 fixed to a remote corner of the sash and carrying a horizontally projecting stud 44. Four of such elements are illustrated herein.

The frame section I2 is formed to cooperate with the studs 44 to guide the Unhinged ends of the sashes in the opening and closing of the window. In the present embodiment of the invention the studs 44 travel in tracks or grooves formed in the inner sides of the frame sections l2 alongside of the weather stripping. One way of forming these grooves is by deforming a pair of metal strips t6-46 to provide such grooves and attaching these strips to the inner sides of the vertical parts of the frame section l2. These strips are preferably formed with an inwardly extending edge which overlaps upon the flange 2i! and is secured thereto by the bolts 26. The strips are each shouldered at 48 to form a recess along the vertical part of the frame in which the weather stripping 32 is seated. This is clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The sash guiding means, such as the grooves in the present instance, may be formed directly in the sides of the outer frame section l2 if desired These sash guiding grooves in the frame extend in angular relationship to the Weather stri ping as shown in Fig. 3. The set of grooves for the upper sash communicate with the set of grooves for the lower sash at 54 as shown in Fig. 3 and the point of connection is enlarged for the purpose of receiving a latching pin carried on the sashes as will be more particularly described hereinafter. The groove in the strip 46 for the upper sash is referred to at 50. The groove for the lower sash is referred to at 52. It is understood that these grooves are provided upon both upright frame members.

Each set of tracks or grooves 50 and 52 is so disposed relative to the weather stripping 28 as to cause the opposite corners of the sashes to clear the sealing surface of the weather stripping to preserve it from wear. When the sashes are moved to closed position each set of tracks is shaped to direct the corners of the sashes against the sealing material with a substantially perpendicular pressure. At the same time the hinged sides of the sashes are brought into vertical alignment and press upon the sealing material with a perpendicular pressure. Thus the sealing material is preserved from sliding or abrading movements on the part of the sashes and accordingly may be constructed so that it is yieldable or deformable to the pressure imposed thereon as the sashes advance toward their final closed position.

In the drawings, the corresponding grooves 58 and 52 of each set of tracks is inwardly turned at 56 and 58 respectively and terminate at a point beyond the outer face of the projecting part of the sealing material. From these turned-in positions each groove extends away to the maximum distance separating the grooves from the sealing material as appears in Fig. 3. From this point of maximum separation each groove is inclined toward the sealing material so that the point of connection 54 of the grooves 50 and 52 is in close proximity to the weather stripping. In the drawings this point 54 is in substantially the same plane as the outer ends of the grooves. Instead of extending each set of grooves until they meet at the mid point of the window frame the length of each set may be shorter if desired. They also may be curved differently so long as the relationship between the grooves and the weather-stripping is such as to cause the corners of the sashes to travel in spaced relation to the sealing surface of the weather stripping.

Each sash is provided with a pair of arms which assist in adjusting the sashes and supporting the same in any adjusted position. Sash is provided with a pair of arms fill. Each arm is preferably pivoted at one end to its sash at approximately the midpoint between the top and bottom of the sash and pivoted at the opposite end to the window frame in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3. The arms 68 and 62 are pivotally secured to the window frame at spaced points therealong as is clearly apparent in Fig. 3.

To reduce the cost of construction and to prevent rattling movements of the parts in any open position of the sashes, it is desirable as shown in g; the present embodiment of the invention to provide studs 44- which are fixed to their respective sashes and are snugly but slidably received in the tracks 5ll--52. Under such circumstances, if

the lengths of the links between their points of connection to the frame and the sashes are equal to one-half the length of their respective sashes and are connected to the mid-point of the sashes and the point of the frame opposite to the axis of the hinge pin in window closed position, a straight track for each window paralleling the plane of the frame would sumce in most instances. However, since one or more factors prevent the provision of such a construction, I

have found that inclined or curved sash guiding tracks are highly desirable for smooth non-binding operations. The spaced connection of the links El] and 62 to the frame and the advantage of having the sashes clear the Weatherstripping in all but the closed position make it desirable to provide sash guiding tracks for eachsash which are inclined to the plane of the frame, such as one having a gradual curve throughout the major portion of its length. As a result, an important feature of my invention is the provision of inclined or curved guiding tracks for obtaining smooth operating performances.

The meeting edges of the sashes are grooved at 64 to receive a pair of latching rods or pins 66 when the sashes are closed together. These latching pins, as more clearly shown in Fig, 6 are each slidably supported from the hinge pin by arms or brackets 68. The adjacent ends of these latching pins carry arms or brackets is which are slidably supported upon the hinge pin.

The combination of these brackets for each latching pin permits slidable movement of these pins parallel to' the hinge pin and between the meeting edges of the sashes. The inner or room side of the brackets 10 are shaped to provide handles '12 for drawing the latching pins together. A coil spring 14 on the hinge pin yieldingly forces the brackets ill away from one another and in normal position the opposite ends of the latching pins project from the sides of the sashes as shown in Fig. 6. The coil spring 14 is centered upon the hinge pin by any suitable device such as the projection or pin ll shown in Fig. 6.

The metal strips 48 on the opposite sides of the rectangular frame are formed with recesses or holes '16 into which the projecting ends of the latching pins 66 interfit when the sashes are moved toward closed position. In the drawings these, recesses are formed by enlarging the sash guiding grooves at their meeting point as previously described. The ends of the latching .pins are tapered as shown in Fig. 6 to permit automatic retraction of the pins as they move over the surface of the strips prior to entering their respectiveholes 76 in the strips. The sashes are locked in this position and can be released by manually grasping the handles 12 and drawing them together. The locking recesses or holes it are arranged in the strips so that when the sashes are moved to closed position the sashes extend in substantially vertical alignment and bear upon the resilient sealing material with a uniform pressure throughout its length.

The arms E8 and ill upon which the latching rods are curved are loosely assembled on the hinge pin G3 and when the sashes are open have a limited swinging movement having the hinge pin as the axis. The grooves M in the meeting edges of the sashes are so formed that when the sashes are moved to closed position in the plane of the window frame they engage opposite sides of the latching rods and act to self-center the same for entering the latching holes 16 in the sides of the window frames. Thus in the open positions of the sashes the latching rods are loosely supported from the hinge pin but when the sashes are closed the rods are automatically brought into alignment with the holes 16.

In place of manually grasping the handles 12 to swing the sashes outwardly and inwardly, mechanical operators such as the one illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 may be provided. As previously explained, the sash arms 60 and 62 are pivotally connected to the opposite sides of the window frame at spaced points. Such a construction may be taken advantage of for mechanically operating the sashes. Each arm may be provided with a pinion which is connected tothe arm in any suitable way to rotate the arm. As shown in Figs. 7 and. 8, pinions 18 and 80 are connected to arms 66] and 62 respectively for joint operatiiOl']. by shafts jcurnaled in the window frame. Th pinions are driven from a common worm gear 82 having a part 84 which protrudes from the room side of the window frame and to: which a crank may be attached for operation.

In certain constructions it is possible to pivotally connect the sash arms to the window frame upon a common If such a construction is utilized, the arms may be driven by mechanical means in the manner illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11. In these figures the sash arms 86 and 88 of each pair of arms are pivoted about a common axis .90. To mechanically drive the arms in a manner similar to the operating mechanism previously described, a shaft 92 similar to shaft 84 is provided with a bevel gear 94 which engages two bevel gears 96 and 98 mounted on separate concentric shafts and connected at their opposite ends to the arms 86 and 88 respectively for joint operation.

A possible modification of the arrangement of the sash arms is shown in Fig. 12. As illustrated in this figure, the arms for the top and bottom sashes cross one another intermediate their ends and are pivotally connected to the sides of the window frame in spaced relation. Such a modification may be desirable when the sash guiding tracks are inclined in a manner different from that previously described.

The sashes may be of unequal length. The length of one hinged sash from its hinged side to its remote side may be longer than the corresponding length of the other hinged sash. In such a construction the respective supporting arms of the sashes may be of unequal lengths and pivotally fastened to the window frame at unequal distances from the center thereof to counterbalance the sashes.

Each sash is preferably constructed in the manner illustrated in Fig. 9. It is preferably formed of channel shaped metal side members connected together at the ends to form a rectangular metal frame. Two of such members are illustrated at mi] and H82 in Fig. 9. The opposite side members are similarly formed. As shown, these side members are of a width to accommodate two panes of glass m4 and I86 in spaced parallel relationship. Suitable paneholding means I538 made of rubber material or the like is carried within the channel of the members lilt and M2 and is provided with parallel grooves to hold the panes in spaced relationship. This material fills the channel on all sides of the sash. Certain of the side members, such as Hill, are provided with extensions i if) bent perpendicularly so as to overlie the next adjacent side member. These extensions are provided with turned down prongs or claws H2 which enter slots in the side member over which it extends and interlocks the members together. Such a construction is provided at each corner and connects the members together into a rectangular frame. The extensions I It are preferably of such a length that it is necessary to spring or snap the prongs H2 into the slots on the adjacent side member. The rubber material I88 is preferably compressed to permit this operation and the resilient character of the material will aid in maintaining the members in their connected positions. This construction enables the frame members to be easily separated in case it is necessary to replace a. pane of glass.

The operation of the window sashes is easily understood from the previous description. The hinged portions of the sashes are swung laterally of the window opening and the opposite corners of the sashes advance toward and away from one another along the track guiding means. The closed position of the sashes is shown in Figs. 1 and 2. An open position of the sashes is shown in Fig. 3. The construction in Fig. 3 may be further opened by advancing the opposite corners of the sashes toward one another until complete open position is obtained when the sashes extend horizontally side by side. During the opening and closing movements the sashes act to counterbalance one another so that a very little force is necessary to move the sashes.

' When the sashes are moved to completely closed position the inner surfaces of the sashes press upon the Weather stripping material with a perpendicular pressure and cause this material to give way upon itself, the resilient character of the material forming a tight seal and acting to cushion the sashes against vibration. In Fig. 4, the sashes are shown in closed position. The projecting part 3b of the weather stripping material is shown as compressed or deformed by the action of the sashes pressing thereagainst. In Fig. 5, the sashes are moved to open position and the part 38 of the weather stripping material has assumed its normal projecting condition. As shown in this figure as Well as in Fig. 3, the track engaged corners of the sashes clear the sealing surfaces on the projecting part 39 and thus preserve the same from wear.

The double sectional character of the Window frame and the disposition of the moving parts of the window in one frame section l2 including the sashes and the connecting links enables the frame sections to be erected upon a building at separate times. This is particularly desirable in the construction of buildings. The outside frame it containing the movable parts may be first secured in the window opening of the building under construction, and later after the room trim has been selected and placed on the building the inside frame section M can be attached to the outside section. This allows the owner or tenant to select the style of the inside frame section. In addition, the detachable character of the same sections facilitates removal of the window structure at any time.

What I claim:

1. A window construction comprising, in com bination, a window frame composed of inner and outer metal rectangular frame sections each having an inwardly projecting flange along their adjacent edges extending around the window opening at least on three sides thereof, means extending through said flanges securing said frame sections together, insulating means between said flanges insulating the frames from one another, sealing material supported by the flange of the outer frame section having the sealing surface thereof facing outwardly of the plane of the window opening, sash guiding tracks formed on opposite sides of the outer frame section and extending alongside of its respective flange, a sash having one end thereof slidably and pivotally engaged with said guiding tracks While the other end thereof is free to swing outwardly laterally of the plane of the window opening, and a link connecting the sash to the outer frame member to support the sash in outward laterally projecting position, said sash adapted in closed position to lie within the plane of the outer frame section in contacting engagement with the sealing surface of said material.

2. A window construction comprising, in combination, a rectangular window frame having an inwardly extending flange surrounding the window opening, said flange supporting a weather stripping arranged with respect to the frame so that the sealing surface thereof faces outwardly of the window opening, track means on opposite sides of said frame for guiding window sashes in the Window opening, a pair of window sashes having their adjacent sides hinged together and their opposite remote sides slidably and pivotally engaged with said track means, said window sashes adapted when opened to assume a posi" tion with their hinged sides projecting outwardly from the window opening and in closed position to lie substantially in the same plane parallel to said fiangeand with the inner' surfaces thereof pressed against the sealing surface of said weather stripping, said track means extending in spaced relationship to said flange and in a gradual curve from a maximum distance from said flange adjacent the opposite ends of the frame to a minimum distance from said flange at the middle of the'frame so that duringmovements of said sashes in any open position the opposite remote sides of the sashes are guided past said weather stripping in spaced relation thereto, the opposite ends of said track means extending inwardly toward said flange a distance sufficient to cause the opposite sides of said sashes'to press intotight engagement with said weather stripping when the sashes are moved to fully closed posit-ion, and a pair of arms for each sash pivotally connected at one end to substantially the midpoint between the hinged and unhinged sides of their respective sash, and means pivotally con necting the opposite ends of said arms to said frame at spaced points therealong to allow for the spaced curved path of movement of the sashes along said track means.

3. A window construction comprising, in combination, an outer rectangular frame section, an inner rectangular frame section, tracks formed in opposite sides of the outer frame section, a c

pair of window sashes pivotally hinged at one end and, having their opposite ends slidably, and pivotally guided in said tracks, links connecting the sashes to the outer frame section and causing the sashes to counterbalance one another, said 1 frame sections each provided with flanges projecting inwardly into the window opening on at least three sides thereof, fastening means extending through said flanges securing the frame sections together, resilient insulating means spacing said flanges from contact, the flanges of the inner frame section overlapping that of the outer frame section and turned outwardly of the window opening to form a support for weatherstripping, and Weatherstripping of cushioning character disposed against said outwardly turned flange for support and projecting outwardly into the plane occupied by the sashes when in closed position.

4. A window construction including, in combination, an outer metal rectangular frame section,

an inner metal rectangular frame section, said frame sections each provided with flanges projecting inwardly into the window opening on at least three sides thereof, metal strips disposed against the inner sides of the outer frame section and deformed to provide sash guiding grooves, said metal strips having a margin overlapping upon the flanges of the frame sections, fastening means extending through the flanges and the overlapping margin of the metal strips securing the parts together, the flanges of said inner frame section projecting further inward than those of the outer frame section and then turned outward to form in combination with the flanges of the outer frame section and the metal strips a support for mounting Weatherstripping.

5. A window construction comprising, in combination, a window frame composed of inner and outer rectangular frame sections each having an inwardly projecting flange along their adjacent edges extending around the window opening at least on three sides thereof, means extending through said flanges securing said frame sections together, insulating means between said flanges insulating the frames from one another, weatherstripping 'material supported by at leastone flange of said frame sections having a' sealing surface facing outwardly of the planeof the window opening, sash guiding tracks formed on opposite sides of the outer frame section and extending alongside of the flange thereof, a pair of window sashes having their adjacent ends hinged together but free of the window frame sections for outward lateral movement and having their opposite remote ends slidably and pivotally engaged in said guiding tracks, and a link for each sash pivotally connected to its respective sash at corresponding points and to the sides of the outer frame section at corresponding points thereon but spaced apart from'one another and acting to cause the sashes to counterbalance one another, said guiding tracks being similarly formed and gradually curved throughout the major portion of their lengths in such a way as to allow the remote guided ends of the window sashes to slide in said tracks without binding, said tracks extending in spaced relationship to their respective flanges to such an extent as to cause the guided ends of the sashes to clear the sealing surfaces of said weather stripping material as the sashes move to open position, the opposite remote ends of said tracks being turn-ed inwardly toward'the flanges to cause the sashes as they are brought into window closing position to move approximately perpendicularly inward against the sealing'surfaces of said Weatherstripping material.

6. A window construction comprising, in combination, .a window frame composed of inner and outer rectangular frame sections each having an inwardly projecting flange along their adjacent edges extending along one or more sides thereof,

means securing said frame sections together, in-v sulating means between said frames acting to insulate the frames from one another, sealing means supported by one of the flanges of the frame sections with the sealing surface thereof facing outwardly of the plane of the window, sash guiding tracks formed on opposite sides of the outer frame section beyond the plane of the surface of said sealing means, a sash having one end slidably and pivotally engaged in said guiding tracks while the other end is free to swing outwardly laterally of the plane of the window opening, means connecting a point on the sash spaced from its pivotally guided end to the outer frame section and acting to support the sash in outward laterally projecting position, said sash adapted in closed position to lie within the plane of the outer frame section in contacting engagement with the sealing surface of the sealing means.

'7. A window construction comprising, in combination, a rectangular window frame, weatherstripping having a yielding sealing surface, means mounting said Weatherstripping on the frame with the sealing surface thereof facing outwardly of the plane of the frame, a pair of window sashes for the window opening having their adjacent edges hinged together, links connecting an intermediate portion of each sash with the frame and acting to cause the sashes to counterbalance one another, the lengths of the links being unequal to either or both of the lengths of the sections of the sashes on opposite sides of the points of connection of the links thereto, sash guiding tracks for each sash on opposite sides of the window frame extending alongside of theweatherstripping, means fixed on the remote unhinged ends of the sashes snugly but slidably fitting into said sash guiding tracks, said sash guiding tracks for each sash extending in spaced relationship to the sealing surfaces of the Weatherstripping sufficient for the remote guided ends of the sashes to clear the sealing surfaces in all positions of the sashes except in fully closed position and having a gradual curve throughout the major portions of their lengths such that the guided means. on the remote ends of the sashes slides therethrough without binding.

8. In combination with a pair of window sashes, a hinge pintle pivotally connecting an end of each sash together, spaced supporting arms loosely carried by said pintle and extending between the meeting edges of the sashes, a pair of latching rods carried by said arms between the connected ends of the sashes, said rods each extending from a point near the mid section of the sashes .to the opposite sides of the sashes, spring means yieldingly acting to space the rods apart, and a handle on each rod adjacent the mid section of the sashes disposed sufficiently close together so that the fingers of one hand can grasp the handles and draw them and their respective rods against the tension of said spring means, the meeting edges of said sashes being recessed to receive the latching rods when the sashes assume their closed position.

9. A window construction comprising, in combination, a window frame, a pair of window sashes for the window opening, a hinge pintle pivotally connecting one end of each sash together permitting swinging movement of the sashes laterally of the plane of the window frame, a latching rod, means loosely supporting said latching rod on the pintle at such a distance therefrom that the latching rod will lie between the adjacent edges of the sashes when the same extend in the same plane in closed position, said frame having a recess opposite the hinged ends of the sashes when the same are in closed position and adapted to receive the end of the latching rod to lock the sashes in the window frame, the hinged ends of said sashes being shaped to engage opposite sides of said latching rod as they assume their closed position and self-center said latching rod in alignment with said recess so that it may be advanced thereinto to lock the sashes in the window frame.

10. A pair of sashes hinged together along one of their sides, a latching rod, means swingably supporting said latching rod between the hinged sides of the sashes, the hinged sides of said sashes engaging opposite sides of said rod when the sashes are moved to closed position and centering the rod in operating position for latching the sashes in closed position.

WILLIAM C'. SCHERER. 

